Dr. Rachel Tavel, P.T.,
D.P.T., C.S.C.S., gives
expert tips on how to use
a tool like the Theragun,
and why you should. “If a
runner is pressed for time,”
she says, “these devices
can potentially help ward
off muscle soreness while
also improving muscle
function.”
- The device should be held
at a 45-degree angle, with
the application head in con-
tact with the target muscle. - Prerun: It helps stimulate
muscle activation and poten-
tially improve power. Post-
run: It improves recovery
and reduces DOMS (delayed
onset muscle soreness).- Usage: For muscle acti-
vation, you’ll want to spend
just 30 seconds on the target
muscle prior to your work-
out. For muscle re-activation
(relieving muscle spasms
or fatigue midworkout),
you can apply it for just 15
seconds. For pain relief and
recovery, she recommends
two minutes on each muscle.
- Usage: For muscle acti-
Theragun G3 / $399
The G3 is a more afford-
able version of the popu-
lar massage tool—it lacks
the articulating head and
swappable batteries of
the G3Pro. I don’t mind
the fixed head angle. It’s
ergonomically friendly,
especially when you’re
working on your lower
body. And I can easily
use the triangle handle to
change my hand position,
making it comfortable
for working quads and
calves. —Jeff DengateFEELGOOD LAB
TEST NOTES:
This stuff comes
on aggressively
cool—feels like
more than the
“minimum effec-
tive dose.” And
no, I didn’t grab
the wrong bottle
and accidentally
put some on my
face. It seemed to
calm my twitchy,
inflamed calves,
for about an hour.ICYHOT TEST
NOTES:
IcyHot feels more
subtle at first, like
it’s not working
as hard. But after
the initial cooling,
the warm, sooth-
ing sensation is
similarly thera-
peutic. After an
hour, I feel equally
recovered.HEAD-TO-HEAD
TEST:
I’d stage a blind
test, but IcyHot
feels warm and
the FeelGood Lab
cream doesn’t.
So I slathered one
on each leg. Both
give me modest
relief, but neither
is long-term. The
FeelGood Lab
cream feels nicer,
but for the money,
I’d buy IcyHot.
—Dan RoePAIN CREAM SMACKDOWN
ASK A
N
EXPERT
Saxx Kinetic Sport Shorts / $75
Saxx had a hit with its first running shorts, the Kinetic Run.
Then they made this new version two inches longer. It still
has the supportive boxer-brief liner, but the longer shorts
leave me with too much fabric bouncing around. Both pieces
are breezy, so I was dry on one of the first 80-degree days of
the year. I’ll wear them when I run from the Hearst Tower in
New York City, sparing my nonrunning colleagues the sight
of my short-shorts and pasty thighs. —J.D.TEST
ONE-RUNI’m battling sore calves, so I tried a new sport
recovery lotion, which contains 30 all-natural ingre-
dients and uses menthol to soothe achy muscles.
But is it better than the over-the-counter stuff?The FeelGood Lab
Sports Recovery Lotion
3.4 fl. oz. / $26IcyHot Pain
Relieving Cream
3 fl. oz. / $9RUNNERSWORLD.COM 23